Death of a Duchess, Nellie Steele [non fiction books to read .txt] 📗

a giggle from me. “Yes,” I answered, trying to contain my laughter. Robert shot me a stern glance, his forehead wrinkling at my reaction. “My apologies, doctor, I am ticklish.”

The doctor chuckled. “And can you wiggle your toes?”

I nodded, demonstrating my ability by wriggling my toes back and forth. “Excellent!” Dr. MacAndrews stated. He folded his stethoscope and placed it in his bag.

“What is the prognosis, doctor?” Robert inquired.

“A minor sprain, nothing more. A few days of bedrest should do the trick. I shall leave opium for the pain.”

“Thank you, doctor,” I answered.

He nodded his head to me. “You are most welcome. And how is the young master? Settling into his home well? Not giving Nanny any trouble, is he?”

“Trouble? None at all! Oh, he is simply perfect!” I gushed.

Dr. MacAndrews nodded. “He will grow to be a strapping laddie! My initial examination of him proved outstanding! A healthy babe. My congratulations to you both.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Robert said, clapping him on the back.

“I shall return in a few days’ time to check on Her Grace’s progress and the young master. Stay off that ankle,” Dr. MacAndrews warned.

“I will ensure she does!” Robert promised as he walked him to the door. Buchanan waited outside to escort the doctor out.

Robert closed the door behind them. “See,” I said. “All is well.”

“All is not well, dear,” Robert answered as he strode back to my bedside. “You have a sprained ankle.” He sunk onto the bed’s side, facing me.

“A minor sprain,” I reminded him.

“And you must listen to the doctor’s advice.”

“I shall.”

Robert kissed my forehead before continuing. “And you must abandon this investigation.”

“Just a moment!” I objected.

“Lenora!” Robert admonished. “This is not up for discussion. This is the second time you have been seriously harmed in pursuit of this!”

“I have not been seriously harmed! I sustained a minor sprain of my ankle. It could have happened while riding, even without Annie involved. You, yourself, know the dangers of riding.”

“It did not happen without Annie’s presence. It happened because of Annie’s presence. Lenora, please, I do not wish to quarrel over this.”

“Then we shall not quarrel.”

Robert’s eyes narrowed at me. “But you have no intention on abiding by my request, have you?”

“I am unable to abide by your request. I have no control over the situation.”

Robert sighed. “Please, promise you will be cautious.”

“I promise.” Robert issued another sigh. “Do not blame yourself,” I added, realizing the source of Robert’s concern. “The fault is no one’s, certainly not yours.”

“I invited you for the ride,” Robert stated.

“It is not your fault!” I maintained.

Ella’s arrival suspended our conversation. “Your Grace, I retrieved several books for you to pass the time. If you are too tired, I can read to you.”

“Thank you, Sinclair,” I responded, relieving her of the books.

Robert stood, saying, “If you are certain you are settled, I shall attend to some business.”

“Of course, dear,” I answered.

“I shall stay with Her Grace,” Ella offered.

“Thank you, Sinclair,” Robert answered. He kissed my forehead and left us alone.

“Would you like me to read to you? Shall I fetch any medicines? Is there anything you need?” Ella questioned.

“Yes,” I responded, pushing myself up a bit in the bed. “Could you seek out the family Bible? The one kept in the library on the pedestal?”

“Of course, Your Grace,” Ella answered. “I shall fetch it at once.”

She hurried from the room, pulling the door shut behind her.

“There,” I said. “We are alone now. Perhaps now you might explain why you sent me to the stream to see the child.”

The specter of Annie stared back at me. She had arrived with Dr. MacAndrews, following him into the room and taking her usual post by the door. It was the same spot she stood in when I had nearly fallen out of the tower. She had not left when the doctor did, nor when Robert departed. She stood, unwavering, staring at me.

“Nothing to say?” I questioned. I drew in a deep breath, searching my depths for patience. “Why did you send me to the child?” Annie’s eyes flashed red. I had hit upon something. “So, you DID send me there! Why?”

Annie turned, pacing the floor in front of me. I followed her as she strode back and forth across the floor. I narrowed my eyes, studying her form. Her shoulders slumped forward, her arms rigid and stiff. Her fists were balled. Something perturbed her. What?

“Annie,” I tried again. “There is a reason you sent my horse on a mad dash toward that stream. You made sure I spotted that child. Who was she? What connection has she to this?”

Annie stopped in her tracks. She faced me, her eyes still glowing red, her fists still balled. At that moment, Ella burst through the door. Annie vaporized as she entered. “I’ve got it, Your Grace!” Ella called triumphantly. She waved the Bible in her hands. She perched on the edge of the bed next to me and pulled the book open. “Is there a particular passage you would like to read?”

“No,” I replied. The turn of events with Annie frustrated me, though I did not expect answers to be forthcoming.

Ella offered a quizzical glance to me and ceased paging through the Bible. I motioned for her to hand me the Bible. I shut it and opened the cover. “I want to study the family tree.”

Ella glanced over the book’s top. “Will you add Samuel now?”

“No, not until the christening. Then he shall be added. I glanced at the tree, noting the addition of my name joined with Robert. The cross next to Annie’s name did not escape me. No other names were shown in or after Robert’s generation.

I followed the tree up, checking for female ancestors.

“What are you searching for, Your Grace?” Ella questioned.

“Female children who died at a young age.”

“Whatever for?”

“When I fell from my horse earlier, I saw a child playing on the stream’s bank. Annie must have shown her to me for a reason. Why? Who was she?”

“Annie?” Ella inquired, her face